Machine for attaching elastic bands to boxes



' (No Model.) ssneets-sneet 1'.

- 4 J-t POU. 'MAGHINE FOR ATTAOHING ELASTIC BANDS T0 BOXES.

o. 510,706. Patented Dec. 12, 1893.

IN VEN 7'05 ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.)

J. POU.

3 SheetsShet 2.

MACHINE FOR ATTA'OHING ELASTIC BAND-S T0 BOXES.

WITNESSES.

Patented Dec. 12, 1893.

- INVENTOH ATTORNEYS.

. of Fig. 1.

"UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFlCE.

. JOSEPOU, or HAVANA, CUBA.

MACHINE FOR ATTACH'ING EIcASTIC BANDS To BO'XES.

srncmroarxolvfermingpart of Letters Patent No. 510,706, dated December 12,1893.

Application filed December 3,1892. Serial No.463,938. (No model.)'

To a. whom ifmay concern:

Be it known that I, JOSE PoU, of Havana,

Cuba, have invented a new andImproved Machine forAttachin g Elastic Bands to Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. j

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved machine for conveniently,- rapidly and accurately attaching elastic bands or other springs tomatch boxes and other similar devices, to hold the cover or lid in a closed position.

The invention consists of a reciprocating needle adaptedto pass through the coverjand bottom 'ofa box to form openings therein and provided with a hook for supporting an elastic band and drawingit through the openings in the box,- and wire feeding devices for feeding a wire on each side of the box through the elastic band.

The invention also consists of certain parts and details, and combinations of the same, as will'be hereinafterdescribed and then pointed out in the claims. e 1

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l isa plan view of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the fin ished box. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of the improvement on the line'3-3 Fig. 4 is a similar view of the same on the line 4+at of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional front view of the improve ment on the line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6is an enlarged transverse section of the same on the line 6- 6 of Fig. 1. Fig.7 is an enlarged sectional front view of the same on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1. Fig.8 is a transverse section of the same on thelines 88 of FigsITand 1. Fig. 9 is a like view of the same in a dilferent position,and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the finished box.

The improved machine is mounted on a table A, supporting a block B, having a slightly inclined top surface as plainly shown in Fig. 4, and also provided at the front and rear with guard plates B and B between which the match box 0, is placed to hold the same in position on the block B during the operation of attaching the rubber bands and wires to the box to hold the lid 0', ofthe box in position. Each box O is provided on its sides with special compartments 0 through which are adapted to'passthe needles'D and D,'for forming openings in the cover 0, and the bottom or back ofthe box for the passage of the rubber bands, as hereinafter more fully described, the said rubber bands passing through the compartments 0 so as not to come in contact with the'matches or other articles placed in the main compartment of the box. The needles extend horizontally and are secured with their shanks in a block E, r'nounted to slide transversely in suitable guideways A, arranged on top of the table A.

On the rear end of the blockE is secureda rod E(,'guided in a cross piece A connecting the bearings A with each other, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 4.. On this rod E is coiled a spring E which rests with one end on the cross bar A and with its forward end on the block E so as to hold the latter in a normal forward position, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The rear end of the rod E is connected with one end of "a rope F, passing over a'pulley F, journaled on thetableA,thesaid rope then extending downward to connect with the free end of a treadle F arranged on the floor and adapted to be actuated by the feet of the operator, the latter sitting on the front of the machine to handle the boxes 0 by placing the same in position on the block E and removing the same therefrom after the bands are attached, as hereinafter more fully described. Each of the needles D is provided on its frontend with a small hook D adapted to support an elastic band G, or G hung on this hook by the operator seatedin front of the'rnachine.

It will be seen that when" the operator presses the treadle F the rope F exerts a pull on the rod E so as to cause the block E to slide rearwardly, thereby moving the needles D and D away from the fixed block B audits supporting guard plates B and B The operator can now place the box 0 into position on the inclined top surface ofthe block B between the guard plates B and B and when the pressure on the treadle F is released, the spring E returns the block E so that the we dles D and D pass through the cover 0' and the compartments O to finally pass through the bottom or back of the box into the position as shown in Fig. 4. The operator now places rubber bands G and G onto thehooks D of the needles D and D respectively, so that on the next rearward movement of the block E and needles, the said rubber bands G and G are drawn through the compartments 0 of the box 0, the outer ends however,bein g engaged bywires H and H, and the inner ends by wires H and H to hold the bands in a stretched position in the compartments so as to hold the lid 0 shut on the box. The wires H, H, H and H are moved by suitable feeding devices presently. to be described, to engage the rubber bands in the manner above set forth.

The wire feeding mechanisms are provided with longitudinally-extending bars I, I, I and I, over which pass the wires H, H, 1-1 and H3, each unwinding from a suitable reel arranged to the sides of the machine. Each of the bars I, I, I and I is formed with reduced ends I, fitted toslide longitudinally in suitable bearings, the bars I and I being thus mounted to slide in bearings J and J, and the other bars I and I in bearings J 2 and J supported on the table A. The wires H and H are in alignment with each other and are adapted to pass between the guard B and the back of the box 0, While the other wires H and 1-1 are likewise in alignment, but are adapted to pass between the guard plate B and the cover 0 of the box. Each of the bars I, I, I or 1 is mounted to slide and is pressed by a spring I, coiled on the outermost reduced portion and pressing with one end against the respective bearing J or J 3 and with the inner end on the enlarged part of the respective bar. On the bars are fulcru med the gripping levers K, K, K and K respectively, each pressed on by a spring so as to move the lever in gripping contact with the respective wire passing over the corresponding bar I, I, I or 1 Each of the gripping levers is formed with a downwardly-extending arm, and the arms of the levers K and K are adapted to be engaged by the free end of a lever L and the arms of the levers K and K are likewise adapted to be engaged by a lever L. The levers L and L extend transversely and are pivotally-connected at L with the guideways A for the block E, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The levers L and L are engaged by eyes L and L, of shifting levers L and L also fulcrumed on the guideways A and provided with longitudinally-extending arms L and L respectively, adapted to be engaged by hooks E and E", projecting from the rearward end of the block E. A spring L is connected with each of the arms L and L to swing the same inwardly out of contact with the depending arms of the levers K, K? and K, K respectively.

It will be seen that when the block E is in its innermost position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the hooks E and E engage the arms L and L of the levers L and L respectively, so as to hold the other levers L and L in an outermost position, that is against the depending arms of the gripping levers K, K and K, K respectively, thus holding the said gripping levers out of contact with the respective wires on the corresponding bars I, I and I, I respectively.

In order to hold the several bars I, I, I I in an outermost position against the tension of the springs I I provide locking levers N, N, and locking bars N and N respectively, engaging corresponding notches in the sides of the said bars, as plainlyillustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. The levers N and Nare pivoted on suitable brackets erected on the frame A and their lower ends are adapted tobe engaged by arms 0 and 0, respectively, projecting from the sides of a block P, connectedby a rod P and bolt P with the block E, so that the latter in its rearward or forward movement carries the block P, in the same direction. The locking bars N7 and N are also adapted to be engaged by the arms. 0 and 0 after the latter have passed the depending parts of the leversN and N on the rearward sliding motion of the block P. Each of the locking bars N and N is secured on a rod N mounted to slide transversely in a suitable bearing erected on the frame A. A spring N is coiled on each rod N to press the bar N or N outward to hold the same in engagement with the corresponding notch in the respective wire supporting bar I or I.

In order to disengage the rubber band G or G from the hook D of the respective needle D or D after the wires H and H have been inserted at the innermost ends of the said bands at the front surface of the cover C, the following device is provided: A finger D is adapted to push that end of the rubber band G or G off the corresponding hook D as illustrated in Fig. 9, at the time the block E moves in its outermost rearward position, the said finger D being formed on the outer ends of a bell crank lever D provided with an angular arm D adapted to be engaged by an arm D secured on the block E. Thus when the latter moves rearwardly the end of the arm D finally engages the angular arm D of the lever D so as to impart a swinging motion to the same, whereby the finger D moves over the hook D of the respective needle D or D and thus pushes 0d the end of the respective rubber band G and G. A spring-D7 connects the arms D so that on the return movement of the block E, said arms are caused to assume their normal position.

The operation is as follows: WVhen the several parts are in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the block E is in its innermost position and the 'needlesD and D have passed through the box 0 as above described, and then the operator places the elastic bands G and G respectively, on the hooks D of the needles, after which the operator presses the treadle F so as to cause a rearward sliding of the block E. As soon as theblock E-com mences to move rearwardly, the hooksIt and E disengage the arms L and L of the levers L and L respectively, to permit thesprings L to impart an inward swinging motion to the levers L and L respectively, whereby the said levers move away from the depending arms of the gripping levers K K, K and K The springs K of the latter now cause said grippinglevers to engage the wiresH, H, H and H respectively, extending over the corresponding bars I, I, I and 1 respectively. The rearward sliding of the block E causes-a receding of the needles -D and D, so that the rubberbands G and G held on the said needles are carried along. and drawn through the apertures previously formedv by the needles in the back or bottom of the box 0. As soon as the needles have passed with their hooks inside of the compartments 0 and part of the rubber bands still extends on the outside of the back or bottom of the cover, the arms 0 and O strike the locking levers N and N respectively, so that the latter disengage the notches in the respective bars I and I, whereby the latter are released and forced inwardly toward each other by the action of their springs I This inward sliding of the bars I and I, carries the wires H and H in the samedirection, as the wires are clamped to the said bars by the spring-pressed gripping levers K and K respectively. The inner ends of the wires H and H then pass through the projecting ends or loops of the elastic bands G and G at the outer surface of the back or bottom of the box, as plainly illustrated in Fig. 8. It is understood that the movement of the bars I and I is limited by the enlarged part of thebars striking against the bearings J and J 2 so that only a certain length of wire is fed onto the back of the box 0 in engagement-with the respective loops of the bands G and G. Now, on the further rearward movement of the blocks E and P, knives Q and Q held on the block P out the wire on the sides of the box, and at about this time the needle hooks D of the needles .D and D have now passed clear through the compartmentsC and the cover 0, it being understood that the rubber bands G and G are now stretched, their outer ends being held in place by the pieces of wire cut off from the wires H and H. As soon as the hooks D of the needles D and D. are passed,

the sides of the guard plate B within the arms'O and O engage the arms N and N to move the same rearwardly, thereby releasing the bars I and 1 respectively. v Ihe latter are thus forced inward toward each otherby the action of their springs 1 so that the wires H and H are fed into the loops of the bands G and G at the front surface of the cover 0. At the same time, the armsD on the block E trip simultaneously, the two levers D so that their fingers D push the ends of the bands G and G off the hooks D of the needles D and D, so that the rubber bands engage the turn to-their normal positions.

wires H and H at the outer surface of the cover C. At the same time the knivesQ and Q cut off the wires H and H so that the pieces of wire engaging the bands G and G on the front surface of the cover 0 remain on the cover. The operator now.removes the box 0 from the block B, inserts a new box in its place and then releases the pressure on the treadle F so that the blocks E and P re- In doing so the needles D and D penetrate the box, as above described to form openings for the passage of the rubber bands G and G, at the same time the hooks E and E again engage. the arms L and L of the levers L and L respectively, to swing the same outward to cause a light outward swinging motion of the levers L and L which by engaging the depending arms of the gripping levers K, K and K,

K respectively, move the latter out of gripping contact with their respective wires, and then the still further outward swinging of the levers L, L, and further pressure on the depending arms of the gripping levers, causes a return or outward sliding of the several bars I, I and I, I respectively, and consequent compressing of the springs 1 Asthev block P moves forward into its normal position, the arms 0 and 0 release the arms N? and N and finally the levers N and N, so. that the said levers and arms finally engage and lock the bars I, I and I I in position by engaging their notches as above described and illustrated in Fig. 1. A The wires H, H, H

understood that the gripping levers K,'K, K?

andK lock the wires to the respective bars during their inward movement. The inner ends of the wires preferably pass through bearings H and H ,'on the inner faces of which operate the knives Q and Q held on the block P, so as to insure proper cutting of the wires during the sliding .of the block E, as above described. V

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent v f 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of areciprocating needle adapted to pass through the cover and bottom of a' box to form openings therein and provided with a hook for supporting an elastic band I side of the box through the elastic band, and cutting devices for cutting off the wires after they havebeen passed through the said bands, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting block and guard plates held thereon for supportingthe box, of reciprocating needles provided with hooks and adapted to pass through the box supported on the said block to form openings therein for the passage of the elastic band, and wire feeding devices operating in pairs on the retreat of the said needles so as to insert wires in the ends of the bands, substantially as shown and described.

4.. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting block and guard plates held thereon for supporting the box, of reciprocating needles provided with books and-adapted to pass through the box supported on the said block to form openings therein for the passage of the elastic band, and wire feeding devices operating in pairs on the retreat of the said needles so as to insertwires in the ends of the bands, and means, substantially as described, for simultaneously actuating the said wire feeding devices with the return movement of the needles, substant-ially as shown and described.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting block and guard plates held thereon for supporting the box, of reciprocating needles provided with books and adapted to pass through the box supported on the said block to form openings therein for the passage of the elastic bands, wire feeding devices operating in pairs on the retreat of the said needles so as to insert wires in the ends of the bands, and cutting devices for cutting 0d the wires after they are inserted in the bands, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a reciprocating needle provided with a hook and adapted to pass through a box to form openings therein for the passage of the elastic band, wire feeding devices for feeding the wire on each side of the box through the elastic band, wire cutting devices for cutting off the wires after they have been inserted in the elastic bands, and fingers for pushing the bands off the hooks of the needles, substantially as described.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating block, of needles having hooks and secured in the said block, levers provided with fingers adapted to push the bands ofi the hooks of the needles, and arms held on the said block, and adapted to actuate the said finger levers, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with sliding and spring pressed bars, over which the wires pass, grippers for clamping the Wires to the bars, and means for operating the grippers and moving the bars outward against the tension of their springs, of

locking levers for lockin g the bars against the tension of their springs and means for operating the locking levers to release the said bars, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier, of sliding bars, a wire gripper on each bar for holding the wires to said bars, and means for operating the wire grippers fro n1 the needle carrier, substantially as described.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier, of spring pressed and sliding bars, a wire gripper on each bar, and means for operating the wire grippers and sliding the said bars outward to compress their springs from the needle carrier, substantially as described.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier, of spring pressed and sliding bars, a wire gripper carried by each bar, locking levers for locking the said bars against the tension of their springs, and means for operating the said levers and grippers from the needle carrier, substantially as described.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier, of sliding bars over which the wires pass, grippers onthe said bars and provided with downwardly projecting arms, pivoted and spring pressed levers engaging the arms of the grippers, and connections between the said levers and the needle carrier for operating the said levers therefrom, substantially as described.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier provided with projecting hooks, of sliding bars over which the wires pass, grippers on the bars and provided with downwardly projecting arms, pivoted and spring pressed levers engaging the arms of the grippers, and pivoted arms engaging the said levers and adapted to be engaged by the hooks of the needle carrier, substantially as described.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier, and arms connected with and operated by the needle carrier, of sliding and spring pressed bars over which the wires pass, grippers on the bars, means for operating the grippers and moving the said bars outward against the tension of the springs, and looking levers engaging the sliding bars and adapted to be engaged by the arms of the needle carrier, substantially as described.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating needle carrier, provided with books, and arms connected with and operated by the carrier, of spring pressed and sliding bars over which the wires pass, the grippers on the bars and provided with downwardly projecting arms, pivoted and spring pressed levers engaging the arms of the grippers, pivoted arms engaging the said levers and adapted to be engaged by the hooks of the needle carrier, and locking 1evers engaging the sliding-bars and adapted to be engaged by the arms carried by the said needle carrier, substantially as set forth.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating carrier, and needles having hooked ends carried by said carrier, of spring pressed and sliding bars over which the Wires pass, grippers on the bars, locking levers engaging the said bars, pivoted fingers for removing the band from the needles, and means for operating the grip-Z pers, locking levers, fingers and moving the} sliding bars outward against the tension of their springs from the needle carrier, sub-l stantially as described. I 7

17. In a machine of the class described, the.

, combination with a reciprocating carrier provided with needles having hooked ends, of sliding and spring pressed bars over which the wires pass, grippers on the bars, means for operating the grippers and moving the bars outward against the tension of their springs, from the needle carrier, locklng levers engaging the sliding bars, arms connected with the needle carrier and engaging the locking levers, pivoted fingers for pnshingthe bands off the needles, and an arm carried by the needle carrier and engaging the said fingers, substantially as described.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatingcarrier, and a needle carried by said carrier and havinga hooked end, of a pivoted angular lever having a finger on one member, and an arm secured to the carrier and engaging one member of the angular lever, substantially as described.

JOSE Pom.

Witnesses:

JUAN B. VIDAL, ANTO. GREGOND, 

